Collaborative effort by the UK and France aims to employ boat taxis as a potential solution for curbing the surge in migrant crossings
In a bid to curb the increasing number of migrants crossing the English Channel, France and Britain are planning to announce measures at their upcoming summit next week. The new strategy involves allowing French police to intercept 'taxi boats' up to 300 meters from the shore.
This move comes as nearly 20,000 asylum seekers have arrived in Britain via small boats so far this year, marking a 50% increase compared to the same period in 2024. Despite the proposed plan, many migrants have expressed that it wouldn't deter them from trying to cross.
The proposed measures have been met with skepticism from various quarters, including police, activists, and migrants themselves. Interviews conducted by Reuters have revealed concerns about the effectiveness of the plan due to a lack of resources and training for seaborne operations. French law enforcement officers have expressed apprehensions about their readiness to handle offshore interceptions.
The new tactics, if implemented, could potentially increase the success rate of interceptions and deter some migrants from attempting crossings. By intervening closer to the shore, French authorities can better monitor and intercept migrant boats early in their journey. The visible presence of patrols and the use of tactics like puncturing dinghies could also raise the risk and difficulty of reaching the UK, thereby deterring some migrants.
However, the effectiveness of these measures will depend on addressing several challenges. Training and equipping law enforcement officers for offshore interceptions is crucial to ensure the success of these patrols. Legal concerns associated with intercepting boats, particularly those that could be deemed unsafe or violate international law, also need to be addressed.
Moreover, migrants have shown a remarkable determination to continue their attempts to reach the UK, indicating that the effectiveness of the measures might be limited by the migrants' resolve. Despite new deterrents, some migrants have expressed their willingness to risk their lives to reach their destination.
At a migrant camp near Dunkirk, several migrants were unaware of the new proposal. Angele Vettorello, a coordinator at the Utopia 56 charity in Calais, stated that the proposed measures would make the dangerous crossing more perilous. If implemented, the proposed measures could lead to more migrant deaths and distress, according to Vettorello.
The influx of migrants has become a contentious issue in British politics. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's right-wing opponents have criticized him for not fulfilling his promise to "smash" trafficking gangs. Meanwhile, Nigel Farage's Reform UK party has overtaken Labour in polls due to the influx of migrants. Farage has proposed using the navy to intercept migrant vessels and take them back to France, but only if France agrees.
The spike in migrant crossings has been attributed to unusually good weather. However, experts from Oxford University's Migration Observatory have stated that maritime interception may stop more migrants but would not affect long-term trends behind the migrant surge.
One migrant, Israrullah Lodin, a migrant from Afghanistan, had failed to cross three times and dreamed of working in a UK fulfilment warehouse. Despite the risks, he said, "Until I succeed, I will keep trying," and "I've passed through many dangerous roads. I will pass this one too."
[1] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/france-britain-discuss-tightening-channel-migrant-controls-2021-09-14/ [2] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-58673487 [3] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/french-police-union-says-plan-intercept-migrant-boats-unworkable-2021-09-16/ [4] https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/15/france-and-britain-to-announce-new-measures-to-stop-migrant-crossings-from-france-to-uk [5] https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/16/french-police-union-says-plan-to-intercept-migrant-boats-unworkable
- The ongoing migration crisis has become a significant topic in Malaysian politics, with the prime minister, Ismail Sabri Yaakob, expressing concern over the lack of enforcement of immigration laws.
- In a related development, a recent survey conducted by the Malaysian Crime Watch Society revealed that many Malaysian residents were frustrated with the government's handling of crime and justice, particularly with regards to illegal immigration.
- As the general election draws near, political parties are placing a increased emphasis on law and order and promising stricter measures to combat crime, particularly in the areas of immigration and border control. For instance, the opposition party, Pakatan Harapan, has proposed increasing the budget for the enforcement agencies to tackle crime effectively.
